Great NEW stuff, ramblings, travels

April will be a CRAZY month - fun, but crazy!

NEW great stock has arrived - including Tagua Nut Buttons and Pendants, and the long-awaited Clover Pen Style Needle Felting Tool (new colors of wool and silk Roving, and Incomparable Buttons. My Creative Sweatshirt Jacket Kits are being well received too...what fun it is to just design (and not sew too) all the jackets in my head. After the Paducah Show - I'll get all this good stuff online for you to purchase, but right now you can click at the links below for those products. If you comment on my Blog - I will send you a coupon code for 10% off a Tagua Nut Button Order! However, You MUST send me an email that you have commented - as when you comment, that doesn't give me a way of contacting you to give you your coupon code. Email me at: londa@londas-sewing.com

Tagua Nut Buttons and Pendants

Clover Pen Style Needle Felting Tool

Clover Needle Felting Molds

• Shows yet on my agenda include April 9 - 13 - International Quilt Festival in Chicago, and April 20 - 27 - Paducah Quilt Show...so shipping will be intermittent, and stock management a challenge, but I'll do my best to get stock to you just as quickly as possible.
  


• We have a NEW (though lovingly used) van for our travels... It's purple, so we're keeping the name his last owner gave him: Barney. Sew far - so good. It's nice to have cruise control and arm rests! The Enterprise vans I've rented previously didn't offer those creature comforts.

• I'm meeting some other "Londa's"! I could kick myself for not getting a picture of the 'Londa' I met at Puyallup, but here is my new friend 'Londa' I just met in Cleveland. I told her we all need to go to the "Londa First Couture Hotel" in Cyprus together ... We all seem to be about the same age (50's), and on the creative side. How cool is that?!?

• Transformed - my newest pattern featuring great techniques for 'transforming' the bottom bands of sweatshirts into great collars and neckline finishes is available. Since I'll be gone, I can 'ship' the PDF format, but not the printed unless I'm home.

Here is a larger picture of the Green Batik jacket from this new pattern. It features my "Baseball Collar", but also a new product I'm carrying and excited about - bias cut strips of irridescent silk doupionni. I don't have these on my site YET - but after these shows, I'll get that done...

During January we were all torn up - and living in the basement while we had walls knocked out, painting, done, new carpet, flooring, kitchen counter and SINK! I think, actually, the sink is the most exciting! It's mounted from below and one of these 'soap stone' or something like that - anything and everything just washes off of it. No dishes or food are staying in MY new sink!!!!! Yea!!!

Next in line of excitement is my new kitchen floor! I asked around for years, and finally decided I did NOT want ceramic. This is a viny product - in large squares with grout on 2 sides - called Nafco. I LOVE it! A nice, medium, textured color - that shows next to nothing.

I wonder...........do the rest of you have it somewhere in your DNA that whenever you leave the house, that you have to leave a CLEAN, picked up house? As I scurry to do that each time - I wonder how my Mother managed to get that through my thick scull... Kinda nice though, to come home to a clean house. These next trips - my hubby gets left behind, so I an ease up on myself - I guess.

Grandson Cole is now 3 - and 'wants his birthday back' - he had so much fun. He's jabbering up a storm and just the cutest thing in the whole wide world... Lest you think your orders don't get some tender lovin' care - here he is under my order-filling station, 'helping Nana'. That bubble wrap is just SEW much fun!

Oh - and my email has changed: now it is: londa@londas-sewing.com. No one will buy me out - so that will be my email address forever - I hope! Insight got bought by Comcast - so the londasews one is now londasews@comcast.net Arghhh - what a pain!

Sew... I've got computer work galore and more fabric than I want to admit sitting here waiting to be transformed into great new sweatshirt jackets. BUT, I just figured out last night that I can access the Beth Moore Bible Study 'programs' of Beth's lectures online at www.lifeway.com/women! Being gone so much, I can't participate in the newest study at church on the Psalms - Stepping Up - but I purchased my book, and now I have all the audios downloaded onto my computer for just $3.99 each - so I'm on a spiritual journey as I work. Another great site for 'woman stuff' from a Christian perspective is: http://www.middayconnection.org/- click on Past Programs, and you can listen to any of the past great hour long radio interview type programs. Really, there's so much great stuff you can access with the computer - it is silly to be giving your attention to anything but that which is most worthy - imho.

Easter Message

A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN


A 17 year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote.." It also was the last.


Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he' S in heaven. I know I'll see him."


Brian's Essay: The Room...


In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.


A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.


When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I new that file represented.


When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it seemed newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.


And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.


He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards.

I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.


"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

If you feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My "People I shared the gospel with" file just got bigger, how about yours?


IF THERE IS ONE EMAIL THAT I HAVE READ THAT NEEDS TO GO AROUND THE WORLD, IT IS THIS ONE, FOR THE CHRISTIAN OR NOT! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

You don't have to share this with anybody, no one will know.

Puyallup Report

I SEW enjoyed the weather reprieve with my travel to the Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA! My gracious hostess, Karen, even had iris shooting above ground 6" or so. I'd never been to the Northwest before - and it was a true delight. The BIG evergreens, HILLS, and Mount Rainier - WOW!!!!


It was even fun to fly again. Sitting next to me on the plane was a wonderful man currently serving our country - and what would you guess - in your wildest imagination - that he did in Iraq? Mended uniforms!!!!!!!!! Yep - and without even zig zag on the sewing machines (?) provided. It was amazing to hear his stories of the challenges in even just keeping our soldiers attired. That task of mending uniforms has been arranged now for in other ways, or I'd be calling on you to help me provide them with suitable notions, etc! That encounter was truly a 'God-arranged' one for me - what a fun and eye-opening flight it was...

Puyallup (I know how to both spell AND say it now) - it is Pew-ah-lup - is different from the other shows I've attended as a vendor/teacher in that it is conceived and managed by Washington State University rather than an individual or company.

The entire show was wonderful... starting with my wonderful hostess. Karen so graciously provided not only a bed, but wonderful food (with help from hubby Michael), a place to which to ship my stock ahead of time, and a guide for shopping for booth needs beforehand - etc.

In her great sewing area, I spied her Bernina machine case - painted on beautifully by a friend. With painting like this in my background - I was especially attracted to it and thought it was a neat idea to share...
























Karen even found me 2 helpers in her friends, Diane and Kathy. Yet another customer, (another) Kathy - volunteered to work in my booth, so we had a real blast working all together. I'm sorry I don't have one picture of all four of them together - so here are 2 pictures with my immense gratitude for all their VERY capable and wonderful assistance! I could NOT have done it without them - and it was all so much fun too.











At these shows - you get inspiration everywhere! This jacket was worn by a customer to my booth - and my mind immediately transformed this embellishment into the use of the new bias cut silk doupionni strips that I am offering. I'll be using this idea TODAY on my last jacket for my newest pattern: Transformed.



Now that my stock and samples have safely arrived back home - my heart is at rest! In my concern for getting the stock OUT there, I neglected to consider carefully how I would get it to UPS to ship BACK. So - Karen and Michael came to the rescue! I can't thank them enough.....


This was the first show I flew to rather than driving - so it was all a learning curve for me. The Puyallup show is a very, very nice blend of garment sewing, quilting, home dec, and other fiber-related booths. The show is big - but not overly so. Unlike, say the Houston or Chicago Quilt Festivals, it is not so big that you can't thoroughly see and 'dig' into each booth. The facility is another big PLUS. Such a fairgrounds and great buildings and food choices, I've never, ever seen! Combine all that with wonderful people, enthused about the same things you are - and you have a recipe for success. If you can make it - GO! I certainly hope to return...

Puyallup Sewing Expo - One VERY tired vendor/teacher report

I've just completed my 3rd day of vending and teaching each day for the first time here at the Puyallup Sewing and Stitchery Expo. I'm pretty much 'too pooped to peep'!
It has been an exciting, fun, and rewarding show for me in many ways. I've been hosted by a wonderful woman and her husband - a most kind and generous invitation from when I met her in Houston at the Quilt Festival as a student in my class. How amazing is that!?!
She has had 2 wondeful friends who are helping me in the booth in the mornings, and then I ALSO had a website customer who lives here volunteer to help me in the afternoons. Blessed - I surely am!!!!

I've heard many times the comment that 'I'd never know that was a sweatshirt' as reactions to my sample jackets displayed in my booth - and that is the ultimate compliment, for which I am most grateful.

My friend/helper fromt he Houston Show convinced me to try 'Kits' for jackets, and with the affirmation of these helpers as well before this show, I did put together 36 different kits as a 'trial'. Well... I've had fun shopping for lots more fabric for future 'kits'. What fun!
When I get home (if there are any kits left), I will photo one and get a pic up here so you can 'see' that what I've done is

• guided by an appropriate pattern of mine
• assemble EVERYTHING (almost everything) needed to complete the kit - from fabric, to trim, to snaps, to interfacing... but NOT the sweatshirt (as size needs to be selected appropriate for the owner/wearer)
• photo'd the collection for my records
• designed a jacket - deciding on suggested use of the fabrics and trims - sketching this plan as part of the 'kit'
• copying that design for my records, in order that I can fully support the kit owner if she should have any questions...need help, etc., because i will be able to completely 'see' the project with my picture and copy of the design...

Tomorrow is the last day - meaning long hard hours, slower traffic, and then the 'fun' of packign it all up, into the car, unpacking it, and readying it for UPS pickup to be shipped back to my house! I've tried to keep track of website orders as they're coming in, and to take home in my suitcases the needed inventory to fill those orders as quickly as possible.

I'm really 'too pooped to peep' - so come back in a day or so for a fuller Puyallup Report! Pics are in my camera, but there is no way my brain is functioning enough to accomplish the feat of getting them from there to here.